Universe
Marvel Universe

Base of Operations
Origins Corporation

First Appearance
Incredible Hulk #601 (2009)

After his failed experiment with the Gamma Corps – soldiers and civilians given superhuman abilities through genetic mutation using DNA from several gamma irradiated heroes and villains – General John Ryker was thrown in a S.H.I.E.L.D. prison where he was left to rot. Norman Osborn, now in charge of the defunct S.H.I.E.L.D. operation, decided to release Ryker because of his successes with transplanting metahuman tissue into normal humans. Osborn made Ryker head of his new company, the Origins Corporation – a business of synthesizing superhuman abilities and selling them to the general public.

When the Hulk was off-world, and his cousin, the She-Hulk, apprehended many of Banner's old sparring partners, their DNA became accessible to Ryker since they too were imprisoned in a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility now run by Osborn. He used tissue from the Abomination, Zzzax and the Glob to create his new team dubbed Gamma Corps: Black. These women were all soldiers convicted of heinous crimes by military courts and sentenced to death, but Osborn saved them to serve him – even though those who knew them believe their executions were carried out. Gamma Corps: Black was given specific instructions to ambush and detain the A.R.M.O.R. agent Lyra – daughter of the Hulk – for her DNA and retrieve her sentient computer, Boudicca, for Osborn. Gamma Corps: Black took Lyra completely unaware and killed a second armor agent who was with her.

Aberration, the female infused with Abomination genetic material, inflicted serious damage to Lyra despite orders to bring her in unharmed. Axon, the electrically charged succubus, was able to shut down Boudicca, eliminating any chance of it helping her master. Morass, the silent assassin, was in charge of containing the prisoner, but the task proved to be too much for her once Lyra entered her Autotrance. Lyra escaped into the surrounding desert, forcing the trio to split up and search for her. Morass was the first to find her, and even though she put up quite a fight, Lyra destroyed enough of her malleable body to the point where she needed to reconstruct herself using the ground beneath her feet. Unfortunately for Morass, Lyra lured her into a salt flat, so her form completely dried out and became as stiff as a statue. Aberration and Axon found the broken remains of Morass by their demolished ship with a threat carved into her body.

Lyra continued to play a cat-and-mouse game with the remaining two women, so she may drain them of energy and kill them with ease. However, an unfortunate town provided sustenance for both Aberration and Axon at the expense of several human lives. Contacting Ryker and requesting transport, the General reminded them there were to be no witnesses of Gamma Corps: Black's existence. Using the remaining townsfolk as bait, Aberration lured Lyra out of hiding, but Lyra insisted she would kill the two of them regardless who they held hostage. Aberration, unable to remain in control, attacked Lyra but a brief battle left her dead when Lyra jammed a large metal pole through her head. Axon had a plan to take Lyra down permanently, but she was outsmarted and Lyra defeated her instead. Axon was going to be taken into custody alive, but General Ryker had his agent remotely terminated for failing her mission.

Ryker's first incarnation of Gamma Corps: Black was an apparent disappointment, but if history shows anything, Ryker will be back with another group of operatives to do his bidding.